Beyond-the-beaten-trail in South America
Are you looking for a unique adventure in South America? You’ve come to the right place.
Since October 2014, I’ve been exploring the length and breadth of South America to find the most adventurous and most “beyond-the-beaten-trail” places.
I’ve hiked in Torres del Paine National Park twice, explored practically every nook and cranny of Patagonia and discover Peruvian archaeological sites such as Kuelap and Choquequirao that rival even Machu Picchu, all while documenting my experiences and the information that you need to go there too.
In this part of the website, you’ll find articles to inspire you to get yourself over to South America as quickly as humanly possible, including extensive, expert-written guides to under-the-radar-destinations and articles about this continent’s exceptional wild landscapes, unique cultures and fascinating heritage sites.
Fantastically biodiverse and with a rich cultural and historical heritage, Bolivia is filled with jaw-dropping natural wonders and plenty to pack into a Bolivia itinerary – however long your trip. This country is packed with so many sights and experiences to keep an adventurous traveler on the edge of their seat that, even after living …
Four Mind-blowing Bolivia Itineraries For 10 Days to One Month of TravelingRead More
Saying that 2020 hasn’t panned out how any of us expected might go down as the biggest understatement of the year. And the thing is, no one yet knows what the next six months of this year will bring, particularly when it comes to travel, an industry that has been devastated by a 44% drop …
Is It Safe to Travel to South America? 7 Things You Should Consider in the COVID-19 AgeRead More
Coronavirus has thrown all travelers’ future plans into disarray. While we hope that travel to South America will be possible soon, the near future certainly looks bleak right now. Secondary lockdowns are being implemented in parts of Asia and Europe, while South America remains in the initial first wave of the virus. It’s nigh on …
The city of Cartagena has the feeling of a film set. At the heart of its walled old town, a grid-like structure of narrow cobbled streets extends in ruler-straight lines, framed on two sides by enchanting, bougainvillea-decked colonial mansions. Restored and painted in the sharpest of colour palates, they’re a paradise for photographers. As you …
Home to the final, southernmost stretch of the Andes Mountains as they plunge into the Pacific Ocean, Patagonia is a remarkable place for hiking, particularly if you like wild terrain and scenery. Some of South America’s most superlatively beautiful hiking trails crisscross this land of wind-pummelled grasslands, clusters of evergreen forests blasted by the …
The 15 Best Hikes in Patagonia that You Can Do Without a GuideRead More
If there’s one place you’ve heard about in Patagonia, bets are it’s Torres del Paine National Park. This protected area in Southern Chilean Patagonia is best known as the location of the W trek or the O Circuit – two of South America’s most splendid multi-day hikes. However, you can also visit Torres del Paine …
15 of the Best Day Hikes in Torres del Paine National Park For All AbilitiesRead More
When you hear the name “Guyana”, what do you think? Perhaps that it’s a place in Africa? Maybe the location of the Jonestown massacre? Or, well, not much? Whichever it is, this English-speaking country (yes, really!) on the northwestern edge of South America is as surprising as it is under-the-radar. I’ve spent close to six …
21 Unique Tourist Attractions You Can’t Miss in GuyanaRead More
As global cases of coronavirus hit 118,000 infected and 4,000 dead and the World Health Organisation declares the outbreak a pandemic back in March 2020, countries began to shut their borders. South America quickly followed suit. As of July 2020, most countries remain closed to visitors as they continued strict lockdowns aimed at containing the …
Coronavirus in Latin America: What’s the Latest News?Read More
There are a number of places around the globe that just lend themselves towards a road trip. Patagonia is one of them; a place of rugged mountains, thick forest that transitions into arid, wind blasted grasslands and, running throughout, the vast, open road. Driving to or around Patagonia is a means of exploring a remote …
Everything You Need to Know Before Driving in PatagoniaRead More
While the W trek may be what brings the hordes to the park, the O Circuit is Torres del Paine National Park’s undisputed gem. Untouched landscapes of Magallanic forests, a rich array of wildlife and more glaciers per day than is probably your fair ratio, this trek goes above and beyond what the W can …
Everything You Need to Know About Hiking the Torres del Paine O CircuitRead More
South America is a truly unique travel experience, with myriad landscapes and cultures. Many new South American travellers become intimidated by how much there is to do and how little of it is familiar. Don’t worry, once you get going, you’ll quickly fall in love with the towering mountains, long beaches, lush forests, old towns …
South America Backpacking Routes: Seven Itineraries for Two Weeks to One MonthRead More
Despite Chile’s reputation as one of the safest and most politically stable countries in South America, on Friday the 18th of October, protests erupted in various neighbourhoods across the capital city, Santiago, and have since spread to other cities across the country. What happened between October and December 2019? The protests began following a 4% …
Chilean Protests: Is it Still Safe to Travel to Chile?Read More
A trip that is on many travelers’ bucket lists is to visit the “Lost City of the Incas” – Machu Picchu. One of the seven wonders of the modern world, Machu Picchu is an incredible sight to see and place to experience. For adventurous travelers, simply hopping on a bus or train to get to …
Everything You Need to Know About Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu PicchuRead More
South America has incredibly diverse landscapes and so of course has some of the world’s best hikes! Most notably, there are the Andes, the second highest mountain range in the world, home to the most awe-inspiring treks on the planet. With hundreds of different trails sprawling across the continent, this guide will help you discover …
Trekking into the Clouds: 11 of South America’s Best HikesRead More
If you’re visiting Bolivia, chances are, the Salar de Uyuni (aka the Bolivian Salt Flats) is on your must-see list. The world’s largest salt flat, it a truly amazing sight to behold. If you want to experience the incredible richness of natural beauty and diverse landscapes that Bolivia has to offer, a tour of El …
An Expert Guide to Visiting El Salar de Uyuni, BoliviaRead More
Volcanoes wreathed with thick clouds and ready to be climbed. Rural towns and villages alive with chaotic but thrilling street markets, where locals dress in brightly coloured clothing whose patterns testify to the identity of their home towns. The great, chugging bulks of monstrous Chicken buses that roar through the streets of colonial Antigua Guatemala. …
I’m an independent traveller. My travel bread and butter is disappearing off into the most remote, beyond-the-beaten-trail destinations as I channel my insatiable desire to explore. But I know that being a confident, independent woman doesn’t stop me from sharing the experience with other, like-minded travellers. There’s actually few things I enjoy more when I …
Women-Only Travel Groups: Meet a Female-Run Company Leading the WayRead More
La Paz, the Bolivian de-facto capital, is both chaotic, high-altitude city and a hot-bed of fascinating new tourist activities – all of which reflect the face of modern Bolivia. The uniqueness, beauty, and energy of La Paz is evident from the city as your plane descends into El Alto International airport: an urban sprawl wedged …
25 Unusual & Unmissable Things To Do In La Paz, BoliviaRead More
Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia is amongst the world’s most dreamed-about destinations and often tops the agenda of travellers bound for Chile. Declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, the park’s well-established reputation as an incredibly diverse ecosystem as well as a site of exquisite natural beauty means that the tourist infrastructure in …
The 10 Best Hotels in Torres del Paine National ParkRead More
On the northwest coast of Peru, a stone’s throw from pretty, colonial Trujillo, lies the sleepy but stunning beach town of Huanchaco – a destination that you definitely want to visit. Sandwiched between the arid desert and the breaking waves, it’s a friendly little town filled with delicious food and a laid-back surf mentality. With …
Huanchaco: The Complete Guide to this Peruvian Beach TownRead More
From dazzling churches to relics of ancient civilisations, Peru has more than its fair share of striking natural landmarks and historic monuments. Although there’s certainly a few well-known spots in among the others in this list of places to visit in Peru, it’s fair to say that these barely-visited alternatives promise the same mix of …
41 Incredible Places in Peru You’ve Probably Never Heard Of BeforeRead More
The sky-piercing peaks of Torres del Paine National Park; the dense, milky blue hue of Glacier Perito Moreno; the huge wingspan of an Andean condor sailing through in the skies of Tierra del Fuego; every moment traveling through Patagonia is one of utter magic. There are few other places on earth where nature and vast, …
5 Patagonia Itineraries For One And Two Weeks of TravelRead More
As one of Chilean Patagonia’s top adventure travel destinations, Torres del Paine National Park attracts thousands of hikers each year. But despite its burgeoning popularity, it can be difficult to find all the information you need about what to pack for your trip. It’s for this reason that I’ve compiled this Torres del Paine trekking …
Hiking the ‘O’ or Circuit: Torres del Paine Trekking Equipment ListRead More
2018 was the year that the idea of being a responsible traveler hit the headlines. And, with the global climate crisis now finally getting the attention it deserves, in 2020, we’re way overdue applying these principles to our own travel. There are plenty of articles that offer sustainable travel tips covering many aspects of what …
